Research and Teacher Workload

Whitley Bay High School is passionate about using educational research to inform change and improve standards. We have conducted a lot of research into reducing teacher workload with the DFE and are delighted to have been chosen to feature as the case study for successful strategies to reduce teacher workload through 'Shared Planning' on the Department's website. Please watch the clip below.

Whitley Bay High School has recently published a report on ‘Reducing teacher workload’ in conjunction with the DfE. This can be accessed via the link below:

Our project focused on the concept of ‘shared planning’ and demonstrated that we can reduce the time teachers spend planning, but maintain and even improve standards. Our project has received national recognition and was mentioned by The Education Secretary of State Damian Hinds in a speech at the ASCL conference on the 10th March 2018. This can be accessed here: Damian Hinds Speech

Our findings demonstrated that:

95% of our staff believed the quality of lessons had improved as a result of shared planning.

85% believed shared planning had reduced workload.

More information including the DfE ‘Workload Review Reports’ on Marking, Planning and Data Management and the recently published 'Reducing Teacher Workload Toolkit', are available by following the link: DfE Reducing Workload Webpage.

Our work has also been published in SecEd which is available here: SecEd Article

Reducing Teacher Workload Conferences:

Whitley Bay High School hosted the North East conference and presented the findings of our report during National DfE conferences in Birmingham, London and Sheffield. We have received excellent feedback regarding our practice which is highlighted by the quote below:

"We just wanted to say a huge thank you for running such a successful workshop yesterday. Your explanation of your project, its findings and practical ideas schools could adapt and use to reduce workload was spectacular and was very much appreciated.'

Get in touch

We also are available to help your leadership reduce workload and improve standards. If you would like us to consult you on any CPD programme, contact us via the link below.